Game Day: Rangers vs. OilersThe Rangers take on the Oilers for their one match-up of the season

Marian Gaborik has made his triumphant return, but is still looking for his first point since his injury

NY Rangers vsEdmonton Oilers

12:30 p.m.

Madison Square
Garden

Rangers Record: 8-7-1

Oilers Record: 4-8-3

Today, Nov. 14th, the Rangers take on the Edmonton Oilers in
the fourth and last game of their most recent homestand. The Rangers, only 2-3
in their last five games, are coming off a big overtime win against the Sabres
on Thursday night. This positive note, along with the three days of rest the
Rangers have been enjoying, should be the recipe for another win.

The Oilers, struggling through the start of their season,
have lost their last three consecutive games since beginning their five-game
road trip with a win against Chicago. Edmonton’s most recent game, however,
showed the most promise, as the team lost an overtime heartbreaker to the
Devils on Friday night. That well-played game may be a sign that the team is
turning it around, and Edmonton will look to begin its winning ways against the
Rangers this afternoon.

On Thursday, the Rangers enjoyed the return of star forward
Marian Gaborik, who had missed 12 games due to injury. Though he did not record
a point in his first game back, Gaborik skated well, and should soon return to
his usual form. Unfortunately, this return came with a new scratch; Henrik
Lundqvist missed Thursday’s game with the flu, and may or may not start this
afternoon. If he is not well enough to play, his able understudy Martin Biron
will take the start in goal against Edmonton backstop Nikolai Khabibulin. The
Rangers’ Michael Roszival, Chris Drury
and Vinny Prospal remain unable to play
due to injury.

Edmonton forward Sean Horcroff is listed as day-to-day with
a bruised thigh, and forward Jean-Francois Jacques remains out while recovering
from back surgery. Forward Ryan Whitney is currently riding a four-game
point-scoring streak, while also leading the team in points with 13.

This is the only time the Rangers and Oilers will meet this
season. In their one meeting last season, the Rangers beat the Oilers 4-2 on
the Oilers’ home turf. It will be interesting to see if they can repeat that feat
in front of the Garden faithful. The puck drops at 12:30 p.m. for this Sunday
matinee, which is sure to be a thriller.